Fourth of July
Coverage of Fourth of July in the Nexus archive.
- Nolan Wells’ autopsy completed; will go to grand jury
Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old college student, vanished during a Fourth of July boat trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, and his body was found two days later off the coast. The state medical examiner completed an autopsy, while the family commissioned a second autopsy that found the cause of death 'undetermined pending investigation'. A grand jury will review findings to determine if the death was criminal.
- Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. arrested for allegedly setting off illegal 4th of July fireworks
Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. was arrested for allegedly setting off illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July. The incident occurred during the holiday celebration in Oakland.
- Queens gang assault: 4 wanted after victims attacked with glass bottle, pepper spray
The NYPD is searching for four suspects linked to a violent gang assault that injured five people at the Queensbridge Houses on the Fourth of July. Victims were attacked with a glass bottle and pepper spray.
- San Francisco approves harsher punishments for illegal fireworks
San Francisco has approved new penalties for illegal fireworks following a surge in incidents, with the Fire Department responding to nearly 600 calls during the Fourth of July. All fireworks, including those labeled 'safe and [...]', remain banned.
- Two accused of trying to kill man in Emporia on Fourth of July
Two people are accused of attempted murder after a man was shot in Emporia on the Fourth of July. The incident occurred during a holiday celebration.
- Reckless motorcycle rider caught after 130 mph Fourth of July run
A motorcycle rider was caught speeding at 130 mph on the Fourth of July in Orange County after evading a California Highway Patrol commander. Officers used the CHP Air Unit's Air-51 to track and apprehend the reckless driver.
- NYPD officer accused of raping girlfriend, pressing knee on her chest until she passed out: DA
An NYPD officer, Amrinder Bawa, 29, is accused of raping his girlfriend, choking her, and pressing his knee on her chest until she blacked out in her Queens apartment over the Fourth of July, according to prosecutors.
- Man charged with trespassing at Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's home in Chicago on July 4: documents
A man was charged with trespassing at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's home in Chicago on the Fourth of July after allegedly jumping over a fence in the backyard, according to court documents.
- Austin Police: 3 DWI arrests, 38 citations during July 4th crackdown
Austin Police reported 3 DWI arrests and 38 citations during its Fourth of July DWI Enforcement and No Refusal Initiative. The crackdown targeted impaired driving over the holiday weekend.
- Family pleads for answers in death of young Black man in Mississippi
Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black man, was found dead on Horn Island, Mississippi, after traveling there with three white friends over the Fourth of July weekend. His mother, Christine Wonsley, pleaded for answers about his death at a news conference.
- A July 4 boat trip, an 18-year-old’s death and a family’s search for answers in the Deep South
18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells died during a boat trip with friends celebrating the Fourth of July on an island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His family is seeking answers about the incident.
- Pete Hegseth lifts Apache helicopter pilots' suspension for low flyover
Four Army helicopters performed a low flyover for spectators in South Carolina on the Fourth of July, leading to their suspension by the state's National Guard. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth intervened to lift the suspension.
- Increased drone surveillance of illegal July 4th fireworks led to $100K fine
Increased drone surveillance during Fourth of July celebrations led to a $100,000 fine in Sacramento, California. The Sacramento Fire Department used drones to identify locations responsible for illegal fireworks, part of a national trend of using drone technology to deter such activities.
- Fourth of July crowds fuel Virginia tourism boom
The Fourth of July holiday generated a tourism boom in Virginia, with Virginia Beach and Williamsburg reporting some of their strongest hotel occupancy rates in years. The Virginia Tourism Corporation highlighted the Hampton Roads region's success during the holiday weekend.
- Fireworks violators in an Orange County city didn’t see this coming
Illegal fireworks users in La Habra, an Orange County city, were monitored by police drones during the Fourth of July. The La Habra Police Department deployed its Drone Unit for enforcement and shared a video on Facebook showing a resident lighting fireworks.
- ‘Dirty Dancing’ star Jennifer Grey announces mom’s death ‘by her own choosing’ after cancer diagnosis
Jennifer Grey announced her 94-year-old mother's death on the Fourth of July, a week after her lung cancer diagnosis, noting it was by her own choosing and with dignity.
- FAA sounds alarm as summer flyers approach July's biggest air traffic crunch
The FAA forecasts 56,311 flights on July 9, the busiest day of July, as travelers return from extended Fourth of July trips and mid-summer vacations. Travel experts attribute the surge to shifting summer vacation patterns and advise booking nonstop flights and early departures to avoid delays.
- This week in whoppers: Mamdani’s great sacrifice for freedom, Obama still disappointed in America and more
Mayor Zohran Mamdani claimed in his Fourth of July speech that immigrants made sacrifices to make America free. The article highlights his statement on immigrants' contributions to American freedom.
- California mom goes ballistic after teen son’s hands are blown to pieces after near-deadly mistake
Two Orange County teenagers suffered severe injuries from a fireworks accident involving an illegal firework. Maria Escalante's son lost several fingers on his right hand after picking up the explosive device from the street.
- 8 Apache pilots suspended after Fourth of July flyover at SC beaches
Eight Apache helicopter pilots from the South Carolina Army National Guard's Alpha Company were suspended following a July 4 flyover event at SC beaches. An internal investigation is examining potential safety violations during the Salute from the Shore event, though no specific reasons for the investigation have been disclosed.
- More than 400 pounds of fireworks seized on Fourth of July: SSFPD
South San Francisco Police Department seized over 400 pounds of fireworks during the Fourth of July, handling 90 related calls and making multiple arrests and citations. Police drones were deployed to address reports of illegal fireworks.
- Half of the Newport Beach 4th of July rioters call this surprising location home
Most arrested individuals during Newport Beach's Fourth of July chaos were from outside the city, including California, Arizona, and other regions. Police data indicates non-locals dominated the arrests or citations during the Balboa Peninsula mayhem.
- Mississippi family demands answers after teen goes missing on July 4th, body later found
The family of 18-year-old Nolan Wells is seeking answers after he went missing following a Fourth of July party on a Mississippi island and was later found dead. Skyler Henry reported the incident.
- Good Samaritan loses entire hand after shocking find on a beach
A Northern California man lost his entire hand after making a life-changing discovery while cleaning up Fourth of July beach debris. The incident occurred during a beach cleanup effort, highlighting the risks associated with handling unknown objects found in public spaces.
- Metro Detroit residents losing patience over power outages as food spoils
Residents in Metro Detroit are frustrated with ongoing power outages causing food spoilage and have contacted the FOX 2 Problem Solvers. Many were preparing to cook out and celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.
- Sacramento homeowner slapped with $100K fine after U-Haul trailer fireworks spectacle
A Sacramento homeowner was fined $100,000 for a fireworks display involving a U-Haul trailer. This case is among 70 citations issued in Sacramento for Fourth of July-related penalties.
- Virginia emergency room visits for heat-related illness skyrocket this Fourth of July
Emergency room visits for heat-related illness in Virginia surged fivefold during this Fourth of July weekend compared to 2025. The spike highlights a significant increase in heat-related health concerns during the holiday period.
- More than 400 people arrested at Fourth of July ‘TikTok takeover’ in California
More than 400 people were arrested during a Fourth of July 'TikTok takeover' in Newport Beach, California, where thousands gathered for an online-organized flash mob. The event led to traffic obstructions, fires, and police officers using horses for crowd control as crowds hurled explosives at law enforcement.
- "Multiple quantities of illegal fireworks" seized over Fourth of July holiday weekend: CSPD
The Colorado Springs Police Department reported seizing multiple quantities of illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday weekend and received an overwhelming number of related complaints. The department released data showing a high volume of fireworks-related calls to its Communications Center over the period.
- Metro set ridership records July Fourth, WMATA says
The D.C. area’s Metro system set ridership records on Fourth of July with over 866,000 trips, including 120,000 after midnight, as fare gates remained open for free travel during the 250th birthday celebrations. Challenges included storms disrupting events, a white-supremacist group marching through the city, and track damage causing a derailment, with Metro extending service to accommodate visitors.
- Dinwiddie firefighter arrested for assault, battery of family member on Fourth of July
A firefighter from Dinwiddie County was arrested on the Fourth of July for alleged assault and battery of a family member, according to court records.
- ‘Close call with death’: Lifeguard hit by lightning on Ormond Beach, still manages to alert July 4th crowds
A Volusia County lifeguard, Damien Curry, was struck by lightning on Ormond Beach during the Fourth of July but managed to warn crowds to safety. He is recovering after the incident, which caused him physical trauma and panic attacks, and has temporarily stopped lifeguarding while running for mayor of Ormond Beach and owning a landscaping business.
- Hamtramck fireworks chaos sends officer to hospital with burns, police investigating
A Fourth of July fireworks display in Hamtramck escalated into chaos, resulting in a police officer being hospitalized with second-degree burns and a minor being detained. Videos shared on social media showed individuals throwing fireworks at crowds and each other, prompting an investigation by Hamtramck police to identify those involved.
- 18-year-old Richmond man shot on Fourth of July in Mecklenburg
An 18-year-old man from Richmond was shot on the Fourth of July in Mecklenburg County. The incident occurred during a public celebration in the area.
- Kerrville restaurant owners reflect one year later
Kerrville restaurant owners are reflecting on the impact of last year's deadly floods in Kerr County, which claimed nearly 120 lives. The Fourth of July in the region this year combined solemn remembrance with celebratory elements.
- Search called off after body matching missing teen Nolan Wells found off Mississippi coast
A search was called off after a body matching missing 18-year-old Nolan Wells was found off the Mississippi coast. Wells was last seen on Fourth of July near Horn Island, with the U.S. Coast Guard and United Cajun Navy conducting the search.
- Firework sparks tree fire, damages Northglenn home
A firework sparked a tree fire that damaged a home in a Northglenn neighborhood during a Fourth of July celebration. North Metro Fire Rescue responded to the incident as part of fireworks-related calls over the holiday weekend.
- 4-year-old boy killed by firework when cannister tips over on Fourth of July, coroner says
A 4-year-old boy, Rhett Luttrell, died after a fireworks canister tipped over and struck him in the torso during a Fourth of July celebration in Ferguson, Kentucky. The incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
- 4-year-old boy killed by firework when cannister tips over on Fourth of July, coroner says
A 4-year-old boy, Rhett Luttrell, died after being struck by a tipped fireworks canister during a Fourth of July celebration in Ferguson, Kentucky. The incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
- July 4 fire damages multiple Fort Worth buildings
Fort Worth firefighters responded to a multi-structure fire on 7th Avenue on the Fourth of July, damaging several commercial and residential buildings. One person was treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the blaze.